Hello Partners!

Welcome to your monthly source of information from The Idaho Foodbank. 

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) - Heating Assistance (Seasonal & Crisis)
With the temperatures beginning to drop, we encourage those who are concerned about increased utility costs to apply for Heating Assistance through LIHEAP. This is an income restricted program and does require documentation but can provide assistance and education for a variety of circumstances. Please visit the link here for more information and refer your neighbors who may be struggling to make ends meet.  

Toys for Tots 
Toys for Tots provides toys for low-income children during the holiday season. The local toy collection campaigns begin in October and last until mid to late December. Please visit their website here to find a local Chapter and request a toy. You can also donate toys to your local Chapter to help those requesting toys.  

USPS Operation Santa 
USPS Operation Santa is another opportunity for children to receive a gift. Children are able to write a letter to Santa and mail it to Santa’s official address before December 11th. Someone will then adopt the letter and respond with a gift and a note. You are able to find more information about the program and the requirements here.  

Reminder: Your Health Idaho 
Open enrollment for health insurance began on October 15th  and runs through December 15th! If you or your neighbors are in search of coverage for the upcoming year and don’t know where to get started, visit yourhealthidaho.org. Your Health Idaho is the state’s health insurance marketplace and is the only place for those who are eligible to get tax credits towards the cost of health insurance. Free help is also available if you need assistance deciding which plan is right for you.  

Orofino School Pantry and Backpack Programs 
Orofino Joint School District has been working hard to update and get the warehouse equipped that is needed to store all of the school district’s food supplies and school pantry items in one spot. They have different programs within their school to provide food to the children and families and they work to meet the needs of the families outside of the school day through the School Pantry and Backpack programs. Their school pantry served sixty-nine families last year.  

They recently moved to a new location over the summer to help meet the needs of the neighbors which will give them the space needed to operate and create a safer place to receive food. They also replaced the 1969 concrete walk-in cooler and freezer at the school with a modern Combo Cool/Freezer box. It provides more square footage of safe food storage space. Carmen Griffith is their Director of Nutrition Services and one of her hopes in the long-term is to turn this space into a choice pantry. 

They appreciate all the support they have gotten from the community and continue to work together “Preparing the Next Generate to Thrive” 

Inside Orofino School District's Freezer Space

Orofino School District's Dry Storage Area

        
Native American Heritage Month 
November is Native American Heritage Month, or as it is commonly referred to, American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. This month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. Native American Heritage Month is a time to educate the general public about tribes and raise awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced and how tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.  

With this month in mind, enjoy this Independent Lens video of a Navajo chef who went home to cook for the elders. He mentions that this land has sustained people for thousands of years and the importance of honoring the original inhabitant’s own food.  

Cooking Recipe   
Please enjoy these recipe cards made by our Nutrition Education Specialist, Matea Bidaburu. You can find some of the items on our shopping list. It could help your neighbors decide what they can make with some of the items that they might receive from you. 
        
        
Free at-home COVID tests 
Free, at-home COVID-19 tests are available to order again. Every household can place an order to receive four COVID tests in the mail.  You can place your order here.  

If you already have a COVID test at home, check to see if they are expired. The FDA has extended the expiration dates of some tests, you can check that here.  

Navigating Findhelpidaho.org Online Training  
Date: November 16, 2023 
Time: 1-2 pm MST 

Findhelpidaho.org is an online database that connects Idahoans seeking help to resources in their local community.  This online training will help guide you on how to navigate the website and even list your own agency as a resource for Idahoans searching for resources! For more information and to sign up for this training please visit: https://fs9.formsite.com/uwtv/FHI-webinar/index.html

• Partners in Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis & Nez Perce Counties
  •  Lisa Tupin:  lturpin@idahofoodbank.org 
• Partners in Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Bonneville, Butte, Caribou, Clark, Custer, Franklin, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison, Oneida, Power, & Teton Counties
  • Maren Nelson: manelson@idahofoodbank.org 
• Partners in Adams, Canyon, Gem, Owyhee, Payette & Washington Counties 
  • Gabrielle Black: gblack@idahofoodbank.org  
• Partners in Ada, Boise, Elmore, & Valley Counties
  •  Leticia Garcia: lgarcia@idahofoodbank.org 
• Partners in Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Elmore, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka & Twin Falls Counties 
  • Pete Valdon: pvaldon@idahofoodbank.org

Future Partner Newsletters

If you want to see something or be featured in our Partner Newsletter, please let us know by sending us an email to partnerships@idahofoodbank.org.